Raising The Steaks

This is your orientation…

By: Michelle

I just returned from the largest annual gathering of some of the greatest members of the cattle industry, ranging from cow-calf producers to large-scale retail corporations. From February 4th to the 9th, Reno, NV hosted approximately 5,000 delegates from all across the nation. The 2008 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show is where all parts of the cattle industry come together to mix and mingle, share new ideas, and most importantly, celebrate the very thing that we all work so hard to produce: BEEF!

This convention was the first time that the entire National Beef Ambassador Team got to be together. Since our year has just begun, this convention provided an opportunity for us to learn from our industry’s leaders in workshops and forums covering a wide variety of topics, including brand assurance and premise identification. We even got to work one-on-one with Daren Williams, director of the Checkoff funded Spokespersons Training Program, trying our hand at a mock media interview on camera. We also had the opportunity to talk with other delegates at the convention and learn about the role they play in our grand industry. By the end of the week, we were even taking part in media interviews and sharing the story of beef with the masses.

While this week was full of great learning experiences and networking opportunities, the most important thing that happened there is something much simpler. At the beginning of the week, there were 5 National Beef Ambassadors at the convention. When the week was done, it was the National Beef Ambassador Team that people saw. Whether we were together in a forum or just sitting around a table enjoying a meal, each moment within this entire experience brought us closer together. Each and every one of these gals are amazing and I feel blessed to be a part of this amazing team. Here’s to the beginning of an amazing year and the memories to be made!